The Two Faces of Al Qaeda

http://victorhanson.com/articles/ibrahim100307.html ^ | Raymond Ibrahim

[ventanax5]

Whatever position one takes as to why Al Qaeda has declared war on America, one thing is clear: We must begin to come to terms with all of Al Qaeda's rhetoric, not just what is aimed specifically at Western readers. We must particularly come to better appreciate the theological aspects that underpin radical Islam. As Butt puts it:

The main reason why radicals have managed to increase their following is because most Muslim institutions in Britain just don't want to talk about theology. They refuse to broach the difficult and often complex truth that Islam can be interpreted as condoning violence against the unbeliever — and instead repeat the mantra that Islam is peace and hope that all of this debate will go away.

[ventanax5]

“When I was still a member of what is probably best termed the British Jihadi Network ... I remember how we used to laugh in celebration whenever people on TV proclaimed that the sole cause for Islamic acts of terror like 9/11, the Madrid bombings, and 7/7 was Western foreign policy.”

One is reminded of the captured video showing bin Laden laughing and gesticulating soon after the 9/11 strikes, boasting that many of the hijackers weren’t even aware that they were on a suicide mission. Butt continues:

By blaming the government for our actions, those who pushed this “Blair’s bombs” line did our propaganda work for us. More important, they also helped draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology. ... As with previous terror attacks, people are again saying that violence carried out by Muslims is all to do with foreign policy. For example, on Saturday on Radio 4’s Today program, the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: “What all our intelligence shows about the opinions of disaffected young Muslims is the main driving force is not Afghanistan, it is mainly Iraq.”

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Excellent article. I was particularly intrigued that their Western propaganda contradicts their internal Islamic justification for jihad.

[svcw]

My view:

Stage 1:
Start immigrating - move into a country quietly
Stage 2:
Begin starting churches: “learning centers” community helps: food etc.
Stage 3:
Political activism: demanding rights, denounce derogatory comments/press etc.
Stage 4:
Get elected, pass laws favoring rights etc. move toward political majority
Stage 5:
Political control, Sharia Law

[chesley]

Excellent article. I was particularly intrigued that their Western propaganda contradicts their internal Islamic justification for jihad.

A lot like Democrats that way, wouldn't you say? "We're patriotic Americans; we jsut disagree on policy" vs. their true beliefs that America is the root of all evil.

[DuncanWaring]

From the article:

One is reminded of the captured video showing bin Laden laughing and gesticulating soon after the 9/11 strikes, boasting that many of the hijackers weren't even aware that they were on a suicide mission. Butt continues:

By blaming the government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair's bombs" line did our propaganda work for us. More important, they also helped draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology. ...

Sounds a lot like the assertions of Ron Paul.

[AndyTheBear]

"As to the relationship between Muslims and infidels, this is summarized by the Most High's Word: "We renounce you. Enmity and hate shall forever reign between us — till you believe in Allah alone." So there is an enmity, evidenced by fierce hostility from the heart. And this fierce hostility — that is, battle — ceases only if the infidel submits to the authority of Islam, or if his blood is forbidden from being shed, or if Muslims are at that point in time weak and incapable. But if the hate at any time extinguishes from the heart, this is great apostasy! Allah Almighty's Word to his Prophet recounts in summation the true relationship: "O Prophet! Wage war against the infidels and hypocrites and be ruthless. Their abode is hell — an evil fate!" Such, then, is the basis and foundation of the relationship between the infidel and the Muslim. Battle, animosity, and hatred — directed from the Muslim to the infidel — is the foundation of our religion. And we consider this a justice and kindness to them."

--Bin Laden

There are good Muslims, but they are not good at being a Muslim, for being good forces you to denounce the teachings of Mohamed.

[Tzimisce]

First face = Osama bin Ladin

Second face = Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, unbiased, non partisan news organizations like MoveOn.Org, Media Matters for America, etc...

[PA-RIVER]

"And we consider this a justice and kindness to them."

Those words from Bin Laden are sadistic.

[Paladin2]

Islam, the religion of violins.